For AI agents: read the machine-readable documentation index at /llms.txt or the single-file full reference at /llms-full.txt.
Form a Business

Pet Shops

NYC Admin. Code tit. 17, ch. 17
in effect

NYC Admin. Code § 17-1701 Definitions.

§ 17-1701 Definitions. As used in this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings: Animal abuse crime. The term “animal abuse crime” has the same meaning as set forth in section 17-1601. Animal shelter. The term “animal shelter” has the same meaning as set forth in section 17-802. Animal rescue group. The term “animal rescue group” has the same meaning as set forth in section 17-802. Pet shop. The term “pet shop” has the same meaning as set forth in section 17-371. (L.L. 2015/005, 1/17/2015, eff. 6/1/2015; Am. L.L. 2015/053, 6/2/2015, eff. 6/1/2015; Am. L.L. 2024/132, 12/21/2024, retro. eff. 12/15/2024) Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2015/005.

NYC Admin. Code § 17-1702 Sales of animals.

§ 17-1702 Sales of animals. a. Animals shall not be sold or held for sale in a dwelling in which a person lives or at any other location that is not licensed therefor. b. It shall be unlawful for any pet shop to display, offer for sale, deliver, barter, auction, give away, transfer, or sell any dog, cat, rabbit, or guinea pig. c. A pet shop that allows an animal shelter or animal rescue group to use such pet shop’s premises for the purpose of making animals available for adoption shall not be deemed to be engaged in any conduct otherwise prohibited pursuant to this section with respect to such animals, provided such pet shop does not have an ownership interest in such animals. A pet shop shall not be deemed to be engaged in any conduct otherwise prohibited pursuant to this section with respect to animals it surrenders to a non-profit shelter or animal rescue group, so long as such pet shop does not derive a fee therefor. (L.L. 2015/005, 1/17/2015, eff. 6/1/2015; Am. L.L. 2015/053, 6/2/2015, eff. 6/1/2015; Am. L.L. 2023/054, 5/12/2023, eff. 6/11/2023; Am. L.L. 2023/151, 11/17/2023, eff. 11/17/2023; Am. L.L. 2024/132, 12/21/2024, retro. eff. 12/15/2024) Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2015/005.

NYC Admin. Code § 17-1703 Required information for the purchaser. [Repealed] (L.L. 2015/005, 1/17/2015, eff. 6/1/2015; Am. L.L. 2015/053, 6/2/2015, eff. 6/1/2015; Repealed L.L. 2024/132, 12/21/2024, retro. eff. 12/15/2024) Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2015/005.

NYC Admin. Code § 17-1704 Recordkeeping. [Repealed] (L.L. 2015/005, 1/17/2015, eff. 6/1/2015; Am. L.L. 2015/053, 6/2/2015, eff. 6/1/2015; Repealed L.L. 2024/132, 12/21/2024, retro. eff. 12/15/2024) Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2015/005.

NYC Admin. Code § 17-1705 Minimum standards of animal care. [Repealed] (L.L. 2015/005, 1/17/2015, eff. 6/1/2015; Repealed L.L. 2024/132, 12/21/2024, retro. eff. 12/15/2024) Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2015/005.

NYC Admin. Code § 17-1706 Exemptions for animal shelters and rescue partners.

§ 17-1706 Exemptions for animal shelters and rescue partners. A pet shop that allows an animal shelter or animal rescue group to use such pet shop's premises for the purpose of making animals available for adoption shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter with respect to such animals, provided such pet shop does not have an ownership interest in such animals. (L.L. 2015/005, 1/17/2015, eff. 6/1/2015; Am. L.L. 2015/053, 6/2/2015, eff. 6/1/2015; Am. L.L. 2024/132, 12/21/2024, retro. eff. 12/15/2024) Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2015/005.

NYC Admin. Code § 17-1707 Violations and fines.

§ 17-1707 Violations and fines. Any person found in violation of any provision of this chapter or any provision of any rule promulgated thereunder, shall be subject to a civil penalty of $500 per day for each such violation. Each violation in connection with the sale of more than 1 animal shall be deemed a separate violation with respect to each animal offered for sale. A notice of violation served pursuant to this section shall be returnable at the environmental control board or any tribunal established within the office of administrative trials and hearings as designated by the commissioner. (L.L. 2015/005, 1/17/2015, eff. 6/1/2015; Am. L.L. 2021/080, 7/18/2021, eff. 1/14/2022; Am. L.L. 2024/132, 12/21/2024, retro. eff. 12/15/2024) Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2015/005 and L.L. 2021/080.

NYC Admin. Code § 17-1708 Forfeiture and seizure.

§ 17-1708 Forfeiture and seizure. a. The commissioner or his or her designee may seize any animal offered for sale in a pet shop where the sale of such animal is prohibited by section 17-1702 of this chapter. b. Any animal offered for sale in violation of section 17-1702 of this chapter or seized pursuant to subdivision a of this section shall be subject to forfeiture upon notice and hearing. c. The commissioner shall provide for the appropriate disposition of each animal seized pursuant to this section. Such disposition may include impoundment at an animal shelter or animal rescue group. d. The commissioner may impose upon the owner of a pet shop from which an animal is seized pursuant to this section a fee representing expenses incurred in connection with the cost of impounding such animal. (L.L. 2015/005, 1/17/2015, eff. 6/1/2015; Am. L.L. 2015/053, 6/2/2015, eff. 6/1/2015) Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2015/005.

NYC Admin. Code § 17-1709 Rules.

§ 17-1709 Rules. The commissioner may promulgate such rules as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter and to ensure the health and safety of any animal in a pet shop. (L.L. 2015/005, 1/17/2015, eff. 6/1/2015) Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2015/005.
Source: City of New York, Charter, Administrative Code and Rules (American Legal Publishing XML export, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/newyorkcity/latest/NYCadmin/0-0-0-202147Fetched: 10/24/2026

Starting a business in New York? New York LLC guide: costs and requirements